What steps can help children look forward to unplugged family evenings? 

Parenting Perspective 

Make Unplugged Time Feel Special 

Children will only ever look forward to a tech-free evening if it is associated with joy, not boredom. Parents can achieve this by framing it as a ‘family night’ rather than a ‘no-screen night.’ By linking the time to special family rituals, such as preparing a favourite dessert or telling stories, the unplugged period becomes something exciting to anticipate. 

Let Children Contribute Their Ideas 

When children have a say in how the family spends its time, they feel a sense of ownership. A parent can ask, ‘What fun thing should we do tonight without any screens?’ Whether the answer is playing a board game or going for a walk, rotating activities based on their input ensures the evening feels like a shared celebration, not just another rule imposed by the parents. 

Create a Consistent Yet Flexible Routine 

It helps to establish a consistent rhythm, such as setting aside one or two specific evenings each week, so that children come to expect and look forward to them. At the same time, adding variety by inviting guests or trying a new game keeps the routine from becoming stale. This balance of predictability and surprise is key to making unplugged evenings a sustainable and enjoyable family tradition. 

Spiritual Insight 

A Good Life Through Righteous Routines 

The Quran teaches that a “good life” is the outcome of righteous deeds. This includes establishing meaningful family routines that nourish the heart and strengthen relationships, which are themselves an act of worship. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Nahal (16), Verse 97: 

‘ Whoever undertakes virtuous actions – whether a male or female – and is of Muslim faith; We (Allah Almighty) shall surely sustain him with a life of purity; and We shall certainly reward them with recompense which befits the best of their actions.‘ 

Nurturing Family as an Act of Charity 

Spending time, effort, and resources to create joyful and nurturing moments for one’s family is highly rewarded in Islam. When done with a sincere intention to please Allah, these efforts are elevated to the status of charity. 

It is recorded in Sunan Nisai, 2545, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘When a man spends on his family seeking reward from Allah, it is counted as charity for him.’ 

Times of Warmth and Blessing 

By making unplugged evenings enjoyable, inclusive, and spiritually intentional, parents can help their children anticipate them as times of warmth and blessing. Over time, these special evenings become treasured memories that serve to strengthen both family bonds and a collective reliance on Allah Almighty.